What made Okonkwo commit suicide in Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart?

Answer

What made Okonkwo commit suicide?

Okonkwo, the protagonist in Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart,” commits suicide due to a combination of personal, cultural, and societal factors. His suicide is a result of his deep despair and disillusionment with the changes occurring in his society. Here are the key reasons that led to Okonkwo’s tragic decision:

Personal Reasons: Okonkwo’s suicide is primarily driven by his fear of becoming weak and like his father Unoka, who was a lazy and ineffective man. Okonkwo’s entire life is built around the pursuit of power and masculinity. He sees suicide as a better alternative to the shame and humiliation of being captured and punished by the white colonial authorities.

Cultural Reasons: Okonkwo is a member of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. His suicide can be seen as a response to the destabilization of Igbo culture caused by European colonization. The arrival of the white man and his religion, Christianity, undermines the traditional social order and customs of the Igbo, leading to confusion and disorientation among the people. Okonkwo’s suicide can be seen as a symbol of the collapse of the old ways of life and the despair that comes with that collapse.

Historical Reasons: Okonkwo’s suicide is also a result of the historical context in which the novel is set. The story takes place in the late 19th century, when European colonial powers were rapidly expanding their control over African territories. The Igbo people, like many other African tribes, were faced with the daunting task of adapting to a new world order that valued European cultural and economic norms over traditional African values. Okonkwo’s suicide can be seen as a response to this historical moment, a moment of profound transition and uncertainty.

In termination, Okonkwo’s suicide is a complex and tragic outcome of his inability to reconcile his personal values and identity with the profound changes and disintegration of his traditional society due to colonial influence. His act of taking his own life is both a statement of his despair and a final, desperate act of resistance.